Accessibility Advisor

Employment Category

Full-Time, Permanent

Vancouver, BC (Hybrid)

Manager, Student Accessibility Services

Cover Letter

Responsible for the needs assessment process for students requiring disability-related support services offered at UCW and through Government programs. Advise students on disability-related issues. Liaise with faculty, academic units, other Student Services, and external organizations. Manage a portfolio including outreach and promotional activities. Hire, train, and supervise administrative staff and student workers

• Assess disability support needs of students experiencing a wide range of temporary and permanent disabilities based on an interview with the student and assessment of appropriate official or unofficial documentation. As required, follows up with internal and external professionals to clarify diagnostic information
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises casual employees providing support services for students (sign language interpreters; attendants for students with physical disabilities; academic aids for students with vision impairments; tutors, scribes, invigilators for exams, etc.)
• Support for office operations (outreach, front reception assistance, general student advising etc.)
• Advises faculty and appropriate University departments on accommodating students in the classroom environment.
• Liaises with other university departments, including Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) to promote and embed Universal Design concepts in teaching.
• Liaises between students and appropriate provincial funding agencies.
• Facilitates individual applications for provincial funding for services and adaptive equipment.
• Liaises with other University partners and various academic units.
• Develops and delivers workshops and training on disability-related topics to both students and staff across the University.
• Maintains and updates current knowledge of accessibility issues.
• Support student case management as needed.
• Support student success data collection as needed.

• Meet with students to ascertain the nature and scope of their concerns and advise students on how to proceed under university policy.
• Provide advice, support, and information in a professional manner to students seeking information and guidance concerning accessibility accommodations.
• Proactively respond to student requests, provide recommendations, and identify opportunities to enhance student resiliency and problem‑solving skills.
• Redirect inquiries and refer to other on and off‑campus services as necessary.

• Develop, plan, and deliver inclusive presentations and undertake group and one‑on‑one advising, in person or via online channels.
• Proactively encourages positive student behavior via outreach efforts.
• Plan and conduct educational workshops and training for staff and students to provide awareness of diversity within disability, accessibility basics, and inclusive language.
• Collaborate and provide advice to faculty, staff, and other administrators in developing and implementing accessible learning strategies or accommodations that meet the needs of students or inclusive learning environment.
• Create and assist with workshops and training for university employees authorized to respond to accessibility matters.
• Review and provide revision suggestions to the student handbook, printed or electronic material, academic calendar, policies, and procedures applying to inclusive campus activities and accessible student learning.
• Work in collaboration with other program units and departments on issues involving accessibility and inclusive learning, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

• Ability to advise faculty and administrators on student disability-related academic issues.
• Experience in the disability field with a particular emphasis on current trends in post‑secondary disability service provision, including the Social Model, Universal Design and ecological modes of intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human rights legislation, including the BC Human Rights Code, the Accessible BC Act,…